Daily Reflection – Feb 21, 2016
Sunday 21 February 2016
First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Responsorial Psalm:
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Psalm 26(27):1, 7-9, 13-14
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17 – 4:1
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36
Today’s Note: Second Sunday of Lent
Today’s Saint: St Peter Damian
Gospel Reading:
Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.
Reflection:
Moments of awe and wonder leave us speechless.
So many times we do not know what we say – in moments of awe and wonder, as well as in moments of profound grief and loss. Peter, John and James were surprised and terrified by the appearance of Moses and Elijah and of Jesus’ transfiguration, and words failed them. How often words fail us too: when we find ourselves before God’s light that searches and bares our souls; when we are witnesses to the bringing forth of life; when we are privileged to accompany another on their Calvary walk. And, like Peter, how often we want to hold on to moments of transfiguration and forget about suffering and death, secretly hoping that it can be bypassed if only we just stay up on the mountain. Yet at the heart of our faith is the revelation of God’s love on the cross. May the transfigured Christ be our hope as we walk through the way of the cross.
